Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 26

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.

Just over 500 new cases reported

At least 112,643 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 2,451 have died, according to state officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 505 new reported cases, marking the 11th consecutive day of fewer than 1,000 new cases.

More than 20% of tests reported Wednesday came back positive, well above the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 5% or lower. Wednesday also marked the lowest total number of daily tests since May, with only 2,470 individual tests performed.

Officials on Wednesday reported 42 additional coronavirus-related deaths, compared to 18 the day before.

Department of Corrections extends visitation pause

The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced its visitation suspension will continue until at least the end of September, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That means no visitors, volunteers, work-release programs or labor crews are allowed at any state prisons. SCDC’s suspension has been in place since March 12.

Inmates will still get two free, five-minute phone calls each week.

“All routine transfers between institutions continue to be suspended. Transfers for security and medical reasons will continue as needed. Inmates will attend court and parole hearings virtually,” the department said in a statement.

State applies for extra unemployment aid

After some hesitation, the state has applied for federal funding to provide additional money to unemployed South Carolinians.

The state’s workforce agency is seeking to add $300 to weekly unemployment checks. Anyone getting at least $100 per week should be eligible to receive the extra money.

“Our state should be proud of the economic recovery efforts and the progress we have made to date, but we know that some of our citizens are still struggling in the wake of this pandemic,” McMaster said in a statement. “We’ve chosen to participate in this program in a way that will provide additional unemployment relief from the federal government while maintaining our strong record of fiscal responsibility and protecting the interests of South Carolinians.”

USC reports 144 new COVID-19 cases

The University of South Carolina has recorded 140 cases of COVID-19 since classes began one week ago, figures from the school’s coronavirus dashboard show.

USC had reported 44 active cases on Aug. 20, but after updating the dashboard on Wednesday, that number stands at 188. Infections are almost exclusively among students.

DHEC: Masks continue to work

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says it has more evidence that mask use is behind the declining COVID-19 case counts in the state.

State officials have spoken before on the effectiveness of masks. But on Tuesday the DHEC released new data showing that the weekly number of new cases has dropped 43% when compared to five weeks ago in the 12 counties and 62 municipalities that have passed some form of mask ordinance.

Places without mask rules saw a slight increase in case counts.

“The data continues to reinforce what we’ve already known about proper wearing of masks and their success in helping to stop the spread of this deadly virus,” Dr. Brannon Traxler with the DHEC said in a statement.

Could essential workers get a COVID-19 bonus?

A bipartisan pair of South Carolina lawmakers wants to give the 15,000 state residents deemed “essential” workers during the coronavirus outbreak some financial compensation, The State reports.

Senators Darrell Jackson, a Richland Democrat, and Katrina Shealy, a Lexington Republican, plan to push fellow legislators to set aside $15 million in CARES Act funds to provide $1,000 one-time bonuses for essential workers.

The state has more than $600 million remaining in federal coronavirus relief.

“I don’t know how you can even spell relief any better than giving some type of compensation to the people who literally sacrificed their lives to leave their houses every morning for the betterment of this state,” Jackson said.

USC quarantines two sorority houses

Two sorority houses in the University of South Carolina’s Greek Village are under quarantine after students tested positive for the coronavirus.

None of the students have required hospitalization, and all were “either asymptomatic or experiencing very minor COVID-19 symptoms prior to their tests,” USC spokesman Jeff Stensland said in a statement.

University President Robert Caslen said the school moved quickly to contain the spread.

“I remain confident in our ability to mitigate cases through testing, compliant student behaviors and the wearing of face coverings,” Caslen said. “Our campus community can be assured that we will act quickly and decisively if student behaviors are not compliant. The health, safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority, and we will take all appropriate measures to protect and care for the members of our campus community.”

This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 6:54 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 26."